2006 DODGE CALIBER automatic transmission

Use the EVIC button to display one of the following
choices:
Language
When in this display you may select different languages
for all display nomenclature, including the trip functions.
Pressing the EVIC button while in this display selects
English, Espanol, Deutsch, Italiano, or Francais depend-
ing on availability. As you continue the displayed infor-
mation will be shown in the selected language.
NOTE:UConnectŸ language will not change using the
EVIC. Please refer to ªLanguage Selectionº in the
HANDS±FREE COMMUNICATION (UConnectŸ) Ð IF
EQUIPPED section of this manual for details.
Lock Doors Automatically at 15 MPH (24 Km/h)
When ON is selected all doors lock automatically when
the speed of the vehicle reaches 15 mph (24 km/h). Press
and hold the EVIC button when in this display until
ªONº or ªOFFº appears to make your selection.
Auto Unlock On Exit
When ON is selected all the vehicle's doors will unlock
when the driver's door is opened if the vehicle is stopped
(manual transmissions) or the vehicle is stopped and the
transmission is in P (Park) or N (Neutral) position
(automatic transmissions). Press and hold the EVIC but-
ton when in this display until ªONº or ªOFFº appears to
make your selection.
Remote Unlock Driver's Door 1st
WhenDRIVER'S DOOR 1STis selected only the driv-
er's door will unlock on the first press of the remote
keyless entry unlock button and require a second press to
unlock the remaining locked doors. WhenREMOTE
UNLOCK ALL DOORSis selected all of the doors will
unlock at the first press of the remote keyless entry
unlock button. Press and hold the EVIC button when in
this display until ªDRIVER'S DOOR 1STº or ªALL
DOORSº appears to make your selection.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 123
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Compass Calibration
The Compass will automatically calibrate if the Cal
indicator is flashing, by driving around slowly (under 5
mph / 8 km/h) in one or more complete circles in an area
free from large metallic objects or power lines, until the
Cal indicator turns off. If during normal use the compass
appears erratic, inaccurate or abnormal, you may wish to
calibrate the compass. Prior to calibrating the compass
make sure the proper zone is selected.
To manually calibrate the Compass:start the engine and
leave the transmission in the PARK position. With a short
button press (less than one second) press and release the
EVIC button several times until the EVIC displays the
Personal Settings (Customer Programmable Features)
menu. Once in the Personal Settings (Customer Program-
mable Features) menu, press and release (less than one
second) the EVIC button several times until ªCalibrate
Compass (Yes)º is displayed. A long (longer than two
seconds) EVIC button Press will place the Compass in
calibration mode. The Cal indicator will come on con-
tinuously in the EVIC display to indicate that the com-
pass is now in the calibration mode and that the vehiclecan now be driven to calibrate. (A short EVIC button
press from the9Calibrate Compass (Yes)9screen will exit
the EVIC Customer Programmable features, and return it
to its normal operating mode). To complete the compass
calibration, drive the vehicle in one or more complete 360
degree circles under 5 mph (8 km/h) in an area free from
power lines, large metallic objects, until the CAL indica-
tor turns off. The compass will now function normally.
RADIO GENERAL INFORMATION
Radio Broadcast Signals
Your new radio will provide excellent reception under
most operating conditions. Like any system, however, car
radios have performance limitations, due to mobile op-
eration and natural phenomena, which might lead you to
believe your sound system is malfunctioning. To help
you understand and save you concern about these ªap-
parentº malfunctions, you must understand a point or
two about the transmission and reception of radio sig-
nals.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 127
4

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures....................174
NAutomatic Transaxle...................174
NManual Transaxle.....................174
NNormal Starting......................174
NExtremely Cold Weather
(Below220ÉF Or229ÉC)................175
NIf Engine Fails To Start.................175
NAfter Starting........................176
mAutomatic Transaxle Ð If Equipped........176
NBrake/Transmission Interlock System.......177
NAutomatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock
System.............................177NGear Ranges For Continuously Variable Automatic
Transaxle (Cvt).......................177
mAutoStick Ð If Equipped................179
NAutoStick Operation...................179
NAutoStick General Information............179
mManual Transaxle Operation..............180
NRecommended Shift Speeds..............181
NDownshifting........................182
mAll Wheel Drive System Ð If Equipped.....183
mParking Brake.........................183
mBrake System.........................185
5

Brake/Transmission Interlock System
This system prevents you from moving the gear shift out
of Park and into any gear unless the brake pedal is
pressed. This system is active only while the ignition
switch is in the ON or ACC positions. Always depress the
brake pedal first,before moving the gear selector out of
PARK.
NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the transaxle will not
shift out of park. Battery power is required to release the
brake/transmission interlock system. There is a remov-
able plug in the right side of the shifter housing that
allows you to insert your finger to override the system. If
this occurs obtain service as soon as possible.
Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock System
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK. It also prevents shifting out of
PARK unless the key is in the ACC or ON positions, and
the brake pedal is depressed.
NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the
key in the ignition cylinder to warn you that this safety
feature is inoperable. The engine can be started and
stopped but the key cannot be removed until you obtain
service.
Gear Ranges For Continuously Variable
Automatic Transaxle (CVT)
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL positions into another gear range.
ªPº Park
Supplements the parking brake by locking the transmis-
sion. The engine can be started in this range. Never use P
(Park) while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the parking
brake when leaving the vehicle in this range. Always
apply the parking brake first, and then place the selector
in P (Park) position.
STARTING AND OPERATING 177
5

ªLº Low
This range should be used for maximum engine braking
when descending steep grades. In this range, the trans-
axle will ratio up only to prevent transaxle damage or
engine over speed while ratioing down will occur as
early as possible
AUTOSTICK Ð IF EQUIPPED
Autostick is a driver-interactive transmission that offers
six manual ratio changes to provide you with more
control. Autostick allows you to maximize engine brak-
ing, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts, and
improve overall vehicle performance. This system can
also provide you with more control during passing, city
driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving,
trailer towing, and many other situations. Automatic
ratio changes upward will only occur to protect the
Continuously Variable Automatic Transaxle (CVT) and or
the engine from overspeed and changes down will only
happen at minimum engine speed to prevent stalling.
Autostick Operation
Autostick operation is activated in the9D9position by
moving the shift lever side to side. Moving the lever to
the (+) side will activate Autostick and shift up to the
next higher manual ratio, unless you are already operat-
ing in or near overdrive in which case, 6th ratio will be
selected. In like manner, moving the lever to (-) will
activate Autostick and shift to the next lower manual
ratio. After Autostick is activated, the manual ratio
selected is displayed in the transmission ratio display
and tipping the lever to the (+) or (-) direction will cause
an upshift or downshift by one ratio. Holding the lever to
(+) momentarily will deactivate Autostick. Autostick is
also deactivated when the lever is shifted out of9D.9
Autostick General Information
²
If a ratio other than 1st is selected and the vehicle is
brought to a stop, the transaxle control logic will
automatically select the 1st gear ratio.
²²If a low range is selected and the engine accelerates
to the rev limit, the transaxle will automatically select
the next higher ratio.
STARTING AND OPERATING 179
5

²If a downshift would cause the engine to overspeed,
that shift will not occur until it is safe for the engine.
Mostly the CVT will stay in the manually selected
ratio, however.
²If the system detects powertrain overheating, the
transmission will revert to the automatic shift mode
and remain in that mode until the powertrain cools off.
²If the system detects a problem it will disable the
Autostick mode and the transmission will return to the
automatic mode until the problem is corrected.
MANUAL TRANSAXLE OPERATION
NOTE:
The parking brake should be engaged and the
gear selector placed in REVERSE before leaving the
vehicle, especially on an incline.
Fully depress the clutch pedal before you shift gears. As
you release the clutch pedal, lightly depress the accelera-
tor pedal.Use each gear in numerical order - do not skip a gear. Be
sure the transaxle is in FIRST gear, (not THIRD), when
starting from a standing position. Damage to the clutch
can result from starting in THIRD.
For most city driving you will find it easier to use only
the lower gears. For steady highway driving with light
accelerations, 5th gear is recommended.
180 STARTING AND OPERATING

²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic transmission in
P for Park. With a manual transmission, shift the
transmission into reverse. Always, block or9chock9the
trailer wheels.
²GCWR must not be exceeded.
²Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a
percentage of total trailer weight).Towing Requirements Ð Tires
þ
Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
þProper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to the
Tires±General Information section of this manual on
Tire Pressures for proper tire inflation procedures.
þAlso, check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
þCheck for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to the Tires±General
Information section of this manual on Tread Wear
Indicators for the proper inspection procedure.
þWhen replacing tires refer to the Tires±General Infor-
mation section of this manual on Replacement Tires for
proper tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires
with a higher load carrying capacity will not increase
the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR limits.
STARTING AND OPERATING 223
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NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to floor, and
the fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads ªHº, pull
over and stop the vehicle with the engine at idle,
when safe. Turn the air conditioner off and wait until
the pointer drops back into the normal range. After
appropriate action has been taken, if the pointer
remains on the ªHº, turn the engine off immediately,
and call for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, refer to Section 7, Maintenance, of
this manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE OVERHEATING
During sustained high speed driving or trailer towing up
long grades on hot days, the automatic transaxle oil may
become too hot. If this happens, the transmission over-
heat indicator light will come on and the vehicle will
slow slightly until the automatic transaxle cools down
enough to allow a return to the requested speed. If the
high speed is maintained, the overheating will reoccur as
before in a cyclic fashion.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 229
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